Amusement device



Oct. 1l, 1949. L.. w. RUMLER 2,484,466

AMUS EMENT DEVI CE LESTER w, Dum LER,

Oct. 11, 1949. L w, RUMLER 2,484,466

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed March 22, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

, 3Mm` LESTER4 w. RLIMLERI Patented Oct. 11, 1949 y UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 2,484,466 I AMUSEMENT DEVICE Lester W. Rumleig Zion, Ill. Application March 22, 1946, Serial No. 656,303

This invention relates to an amusement device, and more particularly to a passenger-carrying amusement ride.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an amusement device including a plurality of passenger-carrying cars or units adapted to be rotated about a plurality of orbits about various axes for the amusement of the passengers.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device characterized by three distinct rotary `movements of the passengercarrying units about three separate axes to provide a tortuous comprehensive path of travel for the user of the apparatus.

AA further object of the invention is the provision of an amusement device which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and of relatively high amusement value. v .Still other objects will in partbe obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown inthe accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings: Y Figure 1 is a side view partially in section and partially in elevation of one form of device embodying features of the instant invention. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic viewshowingthe positioning of one of the drive elements of the device.

Figure 3 is an end view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of the device disclosed in Figure 1. f

Figure 4 is an enlarged view partially in elevation and partially in section,r broken away, disclosing certain constructional details.`

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views ofthe drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings, there are shown at IIJ a pair of opposed spaced pylons or pillars provided at their upper extremities with pillow blocks or brackets I I which rotatably support, journaled in suitable bearings I2, the extremities of a pair of aligned tubular sleeves I3 and I3. The inner extremities of the sleeves I3 and I3' are secured in any desired manner to a main framework generally indicated at I5 and including a mid-section or gear `box lll, surrounded by'a rectangular outer supporting frame I6, and including at its opposite ends pyramidal reinforcing structures I1 of an angle iron cr similar material, suitably secured to the Vsleeves I3 and I3' for rotation therewith.

3 clams.' (o1. 27e-2s) Thus, the entire assembly I5 may be rotated as a unit, upon rotation of the sleeve I3 in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.A

Rotation of the sleeve I3, and hence the main framework I5, may be elected as by means of a drive sprocket I8, connected, as by suitable bolts I9, to the extremity of the sleeve I3, and in turn driven by a chain 26 engaging the teeth of the sprocket, and driven by any suitable source of power, as for example, a gasoline engine, an electric motor, or the like (not shown).

Extending through the sleeve I3, and terminating in gear box or mid-section I4 of the frame I5 is a shaft 2| journaled for rotation adjacent Aits extremities, as in .bearings 22, and extending outwardly beyond the drive sprocket I8. The outer end of the shaft 2| is provided with a sprocket 23, in turn driven by a chain 24 from any suitable Vsource of power, which may be the same source of power previously referred to as driving the chain 2U, or an additional source of power if desired.` The inner end cf the shaft 2l terminates in a bevel gear 25 centrally positioned within the gear box or central portion I4 of the framework I5., Bevel .gear 25 engages a second bevel gear 26 positioned at substantially right angles thereto, and aflixed to a shaftv 271 which extends transversely through the frame I5 vat substantially right angles to the shaft 2l, and correspondingly to the sleeves I3 and Iii.` The shaft 21 extends outwardly through a pair of oppositely disposed sleeves 2B which comprise substantially an integral part of the framework I5, and are rotatable therewith about the axis comprised of the sleeves I3 and I3. Suitable bearings 29 are provided to permit free rotation of the shafts 21 within the sleeves 28.

4 Each of the shafts `21 has mounted on its outer end a drive flange 30 including a boss 3l provided with a set screw 32 for securing the flange 36 to the shaft 21. Each oi the ilanges 36 is secured, as by bolts 33, to a collar 34, a spacer ring 35 being provided `and secured, as by bolts 36, to the collar 34 (seeFig. 4). The collar 34 is in turn suitably secured to a drum 3'! mounted on suitable bearings 3B for rotation about the sleeve 28. Each of the collars 34 and drums 31 has mounted thereon a supplemental framework generally indicated at 46 comprised of angle iron or the like, and of rectangular conguration.

A sprocket 4I is allixed to each of the sleeves 28 between the portion I6 of the frame I5 and each of the supplemental frames 46, and a suitable thrustbearing 42 is positioned between the sprocketv 4I and the drum 31..

It will now be seen that rotation of the shaft 2| by means of the chain 24 in the manner previously described in turn through rotation of the shaft 21 rotates the supplemental frame 4U in the direction indicated by the arrows A in Figure l. The direction of rotation of the main frame assembly I is indicated by the arrows B in Figure 3.

Referring f'begli ilo-'the supplemental .frames 40, it Will befseen, as best showninfFigure 1, that each is comprised of radially extending members 4'5 suitably secured to the drums 3l', which terminate in journals 46. The extremities of the members are connected by peripheral reinforcing members 41, the whole assuming the,

form of a rectangle, and transversely disposed reinforcing members 48 are provided across :each

of the frames 40, as best shown in Figure 3.

The journals 46 at theextremities of the radially Positioned members@ have mounted therein forrotationstub axles 'lljrpositioned on opposite sides and centrally of circular,passenger-carrying units 50.

vEach ofthe units ,50,15 provided with an interiorly position ,seat j5l, kan entrance door A52 hinged, asat .53, andprovided with latch-means 5.4,and glass side portions 55 as well as peripheral glass windows T56.

.As previously pointed out, each of the units 50 is rotatable Iabout the .stub axles '49, and the inner ,stub .axle.,49 lof eachunit is provided with a sprocket 51 ixedly secured thereto. A ilexible chain 58 passes about each of ,the sprockets 51, as .Well as the sprocket 4l affixedto the -sleeve 28. The arrangement of ,the chain 53 isbest shown in,Figure,2, from aconsideration-of which it will be readily apparent that as each of `the frames 40 is rotated Vabout its associated sleeve Z8, the xed sprocket ,4| will, through the chain 58, impart, through the sprockets k51, rotative movementtoeach of the units 50, the direction of such motion being opposite to that `of the supplemental frameMl, orgin the directiongindicated by the arrows C` in Figure 1.

It will now b e .seen that there are three sep- L arate and ldistinct orbital movements of the device, all simultaneously imparted, one being about the axis of the sleeves I3 .and i3', la second being about the axis ofthe sleeves,28and a third beingabout the axis of the stub axles "4.5. 1t will further be seen thatby means of the apparatushereindescribed and showrna unique sensation isafforded to thepassengers carried'thereby, andthat the path of travel of the .saidpassengersis rendered complex and tortuous by the orbital motions above described.

.I twillfurtherbe seen ,that there is herein provided .a device .which accomplishes all the objectsof ,this ,inventiom including many advantagespf, great practical utility, uamusement value, and ,commercial importance.

Yvarious embodiments maybe made ofthis inventive concept, and as various modifications may be madein theembodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it,is to `be understood, that alkmatterheren is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not ,in alimiting sense.

l, claim:

1. A passenger carrying amusement device comprising a pair ofaligned tubularsleeves providingamain shaft journaledfor rotation at the outer endsthereof, the innerendsof said sleeves beniglsnaced, amain frame rigidly mounted `on said tubular sleeves ,forrotatiqn therewith and rigidly securing said sleeves together, said frame -at a right angle to said sleeves providing said main shaft and rigidly xed to and supported by said iframe, each of said second pair of sleeves ,havingtliemajor portion of its length projecting beyond said main frame, a pair of supplemental frameseach supported on the projecting portion ,of each of said second pair of sleeves, and mounted for rotation thereon, passenger-carrying units carried by said supplemental vframes and each journaled-for rotationin=theplaneof its supplemental frame, a chain drivinglyearrie'd by each of said second pair of sleeves and operatively connected to thepassenger-carryingunits of its respective supplemental frameiforicausing the rotation of said units, a driven shaft extending through each of said second pair of sleeves and into said gear box,and means onitheportion of one of said driven shafts'eXtendiHg'intosaid gear box and operatively7 connected to said beveled gear for rotating said .supplemental frames.

2. A passenger carrying .amusement device comprising a pair of aligned'tubular-sleeves; providing a mainshaftjournaled forrotation .at the outer ends thereof, the'inner ends'ofsaidsleeves being spaced, a main Vframe rig-idlymou-ntedon said tubular sleeves for rotation -therewithfand rigidly securing said sleeeves together, said frame including a gear box between theVinner-erfdsof said sleeves, a driving -shaft extending .through one of saidtubularsleeves and journaledforfrotation therein, a second pair ofoppositely-'disposed aligned sleeves projecting from said gear box, said second pair of sleeves extending at a right angle to said sleevesV providing said-main shaft and rigidlyxed to and lsupported-Ibysaid frame, said second-pair of sleeves.each projecting beyond said main frame,a pa-irof supplemental frames each supported on the projecting portion of one of said second pair of sleeves and mounted for rotation thereon, passenger `carrying units carried by said supplemental frames and VVeach journaled for rotation in the plane of its isup'plemental frame, adriven shaft extending through each ci said second pair of sleeves and into Sad gear box, gearing in .saidbox for driving said driven shaft from said driving shaft, and means connecting each of said supplemental -frames'to said driven shaft for rotation therewith.

3. A passenger-carrying amusement device comprising a pair'of alignedltubular sleeves-pro.- viding a main shaft journaledffor rotationfatxthe outer ends thereof, theinner ends ofsaidfsleeves being spaced, a main frame rigidly mounted -on said tubular sleeves for rotation therewitliiand rigidly securing said sleeves together, saidfframe including a gear box betweentheinner endsof said sleeves, a driving shaft vextending through one of said tubular sleeves and journaled-'forrotation therein, said driving shaftprojectingzoutwardly from the outer end of saidone offsaid tubular sleeves, means at said end ofsaidrdriving shaft for rotating the same, a'bevel geariii-xed-to the opposite end of-saidshaft Varid positioned rwithin said gear box, a second pair of oppositelydisposed aligned sleeves projecting from said gear box, said second pair of sleeves extending at a right angle to said sleeves providing said main shaft and rigidly xed to and supported by said frame, each of said second pair of sleeves having the major portion of its length projecting beyond said main frame, a pair of supplemental frames each supported on the projecting portion of each of said second pair of sleeves and mounted for rotation thereon, passenger-carrying units carried by said supplemental frames and each journaled for rotation in the plane of its supplemental frame, a driven shaft extending through each of said second pair of sleeves and into said gear box, and means on the portion of one of said driven shafts extending into said gear box and operatively connected to said bevel gear for rotating said supplemental frames.

LESTER W. RUMLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 846,925 Kramer Mar. 12, 1907 852,149 Warth Apr. 30, 1907 2,158,073 Keith et al. May 16, 1939 2,328,852 Shepherd Sept. "I, 1943 

